Wrapper tear tab forming mechanism



Oct. 19, 1954 T. JENSEN ETAL WRAPPER TEAR TAB FORMING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 2, 1949 INVENTORS THORMOD JENSEN FRED L. WAITE 1954 T. JENSEN ETAL WRAPPER TEAR TAB FORMING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept; 2, 1949 Q 1. fit m wt 1 N2 mm 0 0 o a n o 0 Qt msm w w mmm Y OJA T w N mm vM 4m MR D T Wm A .@@w Y mm Sv 3 YQ w r 35 5 av Oct. 19, 1954 T, JENSEN ET AL WRAPPER TEAR TAB FORMING MECHANISM 3 SheetsSheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 1949 INVENTORS THORMOD JENSEN FRED Lr WAITE ATTO RN j e Y QmJ WM 0 M7 m vw M M m Nu Em 8 Patented Oct. 19, 1954 WRAPPER TEAR TAB FORMING MECHANISM Thormod Jensen, Lam'elton, and Fred L. Waite, Long Island City, N. Y., assignors to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 2, 1949, Serial No. 113,882

(Cl. 536l) 26 Claims. 1

This invention relates to wrapping machines suitable for wrapping articles, such as loaves of bread, and more particularly to mechanisms for applying a relatively narrow tear strip to a continuous web, and. forming an improved tear tab on each wrapper cut therefrom in order to make more easy the removal of a wrapper from an article enclosed therein. The invention also relates to improved methods of forming tear tab wrappers.

Devices for forming tear tab wrappers and packages are known in the wrapping art. However, these have been limited to wrappin machines in which successive wrappers to be used in packaging articles are the same, or substantially equal, in length. In such machines, it is customary to use mechanism for pre-cutting or punching holes at spaced points along a wrapper web, after which, a tear strip web is associated with the wrapper web, and when a wrapper is cut therefrom transversely across the cut or hole, it is provided with a tear tab.

The present invention relates to the formation of tear tab wrappers from a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web consisting of a continuous wrapper web having attached thereto a continuous tear strip web which extends longitudinally therealong. According to our invention, the composite tear strip wrapper web is cut, as by slitting transversely at desired points along its length in a limited zone adjacent the tear strip to cut the tear strip web. Following this operation, the composite tear strip wrapper Web is cut transversely at a distance spaced inwardly from the above mentioned cut or slit without cutting off the portion of the tear strip which is to form the desired tear tab. In this manner, a tear strip wrapper having a tear tab extending freely beyond one end of the wrapper is produced.

Although our invention is adaptable for use in wrapping machines in which successive wrappers are of the same or substantially equal length, it is designed primarily for use in wrapping machines in which the length of wrapper web necessary to enclose an article is measured by the article to be wrapped and varies in accordance with the size of each article. In machines of this type, there is a real problem in obtaining satisfactory tear strip wrappers in which each tear tab projects substantially the same distance beyond the end of the wrapper with which it is associated.

The present invention solves this problem because it provides mechanism wherein regardless of variations in peripheral dimensions of articles being wrapped, each tear strip wrapper is so formed that its tear tab extends substantially a uniform distance beyond the end of its wrapper when compared with other similar wrappers similarly formed. This insures that in the final wrapped packages, uniformity in appearance will be obtained.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide improved mechanism for forming tear tab wrappers from a composite continuous tear strip bearing web in which the composite Web is cut or slit transversely at spaced points adjacent the tear strip web, and the tear strip cut, and wherein the wrapper Web is cut transversely at a distance spaced from said out or slit without cutting the tear strip.

A further object of our invention is the provision of improved tear strip applying and tear tab forming mechanism capable of being used in wrapping machines in which varying lengths of composite tear strip wrapper web are fed in accordance with variations in sizes of articles being wrapped.

A further object is to provide novel wrapper web and tear strip feeding and handling mechanisms, and a novel type of cutting device for cutting the tear strip material and wrapper web, respectively, to form tear tab wrappers.

A further object of our invention is to provide tear tab forming mechanism which can be readily attached to and form a part of a wrapping machine in which each article being wrapped measures the length of wrapper to be wrapped thereabout, and thereby makes it possible to produce uniform packages having tear tabs of substantially equal lengths.

The invention also consists in the provision of mechanism for forming a continuous tear strip bearing wrapper web and making selective cuts as spaced points along the length of the composite wrapper web to produce wrappers having tear tabs extending freely beyond one cut end of each wrapper.

The invention also consists in the provision of a novel method of forming tear tab wrappers wherein regardless of variations in length of successive wrappers cut from an endless composite tear strip wrapper web, the tear tabs are substantially of equal length.

A further object consists in providing a novel method of applying tear strip material to wrappers in order to form improved tear tab packages.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel tear tab forming mechanism including means for cutting a tear tab strip to form a tear 3 tab, and also for cutting a wrapper transversely inwardly from its longitudinal edges to cut a wrapper from a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web without cutting the tear tab and thus form a wrapper having a separate tear tab extending beyond the cut end of the wrapper.

Other objects of our invention will be set forth in the following description and drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof, it being understood that the above statements of the objects of our invention are intended generally to explain the same without limiting it in any manner.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a web feeding mechanism of a wrapping machine utilizing a preferred embodiment of the wrapper tear tab forming mechanism;

Figure 2- is a side elevation showing a preferred form of wrapper tear tab forming mechanism in detail;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of tear tab cutting mechanism;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the web cutting and tear tab cutting mechanism as seen from line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of another modified arrangement of tear tab forming mechanism;

Figure 6 is a schematic end elevation of a wrapped package illustrating the relative arrangement of the wrapper web and tear tab;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a wrapped package with its bottom seam turned upward to illustrate the tear tab projecting from said bottom seam; and

Figure 8 illustrates a single wrapper in conjunction with a tear tab after being cut from the continuous wrapper web.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1, 2 and 5 illustrate a preferred form of our invention forming a part of a wrapping machine of the type in which an article to be wrapped is moved against the draped or depending leading or free end of a continuous wrapper web as it travels from an infeed conveyor, or other support, onto a lifter table where it is partially enclosed in the wrapper. The lifter table is then moved upwardly to deliver the partially wrapped article into a position proximate a wrapper foldway where the final enwrapment of the article takes place.

As shown, a continuous web of wrapping material W is supplied to the machine from a suitable source of supply, such as a roll R, Figure 1, suitably mounted between the side frames of the machine (not shown). A narrow continuous web of tear strip material S is also supplied to the machine from a roll T, and is fed into juxtaposition with the center portion or other desired portion of the Wrapping material web. As illustrated in Figure 3, the tear strip material S lies along substantially the longitudinal center of the wrapper material web W. However, it is obvious that if desired, tear strip S could be located at some other position between the side edges of wrapper material web W. Tear strip S is secured or adhered to wrapper web W in order to prevent shifting during the web feeding operations, and also to insure that when the final package is to be opened, the tear strip cannot be pulled free of or removed from the package without tearing the wrapper and thereby opening the package.

In order to effect the adherence of tear strip S to wrapping material web W, tear strip material web S, depending upon the kind or characteristics of wrapping material or tear strip material used, may be secured to the web by paste, or by heat sealing, or by application of asolvent to a localized surface of the wrapping material or tear strip with or without the application of heat. As shown in Figure 1, tear strip material S is fed in continuous web form through a paste or solvent applying device P which may be similar in construction and operation as that illustrated and described in co-pending Jensen and Drury application Serial Number 679,736, filed June 27, 1946, now Patent 2,538,564 issued January 16', 1951. As the tear strip material web passes through device P, paste or solvent, depending upon the type of material being used as a tear strip, is applied to one side of the tear strip material web S by a roller H) in a paste or solvent well 12.

Where the wrapping material web W consists of waxed paper, well 12 and roller 10 are unnecessary and are removed from the paste or solvent applying device P. The desired adherence of tear strip material S to wrapper web W is effected by means of a sealing element, such as an electrically heated ironing shoe M, which presses against the tear strip material web S and wrapping web W as they pass under a continuously rotating feed roller I6. In this manner, the application of heat energizes the wax coating on wrapping material web W, which coating, upon congealing, secures the tear strip web S to the wrapper.

Shoe M. is mounted on the free end of an arm I8, pivotally supported on a stud 20, and is provided with a tension spring 22 serving the purpose of maintaining shoe I 4 in steady contact with the juxtaposed wrapping material web W and tear strip material web S. Stud 20, which also supports. a suitable guide roller 24, is mounted in frame bracket 26 of device P. Arm is carries another guide roller 28 which guides tear strip material web S into juxtaposed relationship with wrapping material web W as the latter passes underneath feed roller 16.

In case moisture proof cellophane web or a wrapping material having similar characteristics and a tear strip material web of moisture proof cellophane or material having similar characteristics are used, the two webs can be held in adhering relationship by heat sealing. It is preferred, however, to use also a solvent for energizing the coating on the webs such that they will adhere to each other, such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, commonly known and sold under the trade name Cellosolve.

With all materials mentioned above, ironing shoe 14 may be employed to assure smooth adherence on tear strip material S to the wrapping material web- W, but heating element 36' may be disconnected if desired. From what has been said above, it will be evident that by means of the mechanism described, wrapping material web W and tear strip material S are joined toform a composite tear strip wrapper web which is designated W In the event that an uncoated wrapping material web and/or an uncoated tear strip material web is used, well I2 is provided with a suitable adhesive, which is applied by roller II! to one surface of tear strip material S moving into jux- '5 taposition with wrapping material web W. If desired, heated ironing shoe I4 may be used to accelerate the drying of the adhesive.

From feed roller I6, the composite tear strip wrapper web W is guided over a roller 32, under a floating roller 34 and thence to another guide roller 36. The construction and operation of the several feeding and guiding rollers just described can be substantially the same as that shown in Gwinn Patent 1,626,409, and therefore further description and showing are deemed unnecessary.

From roller 36, composite tear strip wrapper web W passes over the top of guide plate 38 of the wrapping machine to a pair of guide rollers 40 which support the leading end of the composite tear strip Wrapper web W in such manner that it hangs freely between an article to be wrapped, such as a loaf of bread, located on an infeed runway or support 42, and a lifter table 44.

The wrapping machine disclosed may be of the same general type as that disclosed in Jensen Patent 2,385,706. However, our novel mechanism may also find ready application in other types of wrapping machines in which tear tab wrapper forming mechanism is used.

In the machine illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 5, lifter table 44 is provided with a back tension plate 46 and a top tension plate 48 supported thereon in a manner described in the Jensen patent. Table 44 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 50 suitably supported in the side frames of the machine (not shown). An adjustable connecting rod 52 is pivoted at one end to a lug 54 on the under side of lifter table 44, and pivotally connected at its other end to the free end of a cam lever 56 loosely mounted on a horizontal shaft 58 suitably supported in the side frames of the machine. To cam lever 56 is pivoted a cam roller 60 which tracks a cam 62 secured to the main cam shaft 64 of the machine suitably jour-' naled in the side frames and driven from a suitable source of power (not shown). Cam 62 thus imparts an oscillating motion to cam lever 56, which in turn transmits this motion to the lifter table 44 through connecting rod 52 in proper timed relation with the other parts of the machine.

In the illustrated embodiment, lifter table 44 normally is maintained in an inclined position aligned with an inclined infeed runway 42 over which the loaves L are advanced into position to be delivered to the table 44 by pusher plates 66 projecting through a slot 68 in runway 42.

Pusher plates 66 are attached to an intermittently moving conveyor chain of well known construction, such as shown in Jensen Patent 2,221,481, and therefore further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. One side of each loaf L slides along a guide plate 12 adjustably mounted on runway 42 and provided with a suitable cut-out (not shown) to allow passage of a reciprocating pusher plate 14 which pushes loaf L from the runway 42 onto the lifter table 44. Pusher plate 14 is afiixed to the end of a rod 16, slidably supported in brackets 18 which are secured to cross bars 80 suitably attached to the side frames of the machine. Adjustably secured to rod 16 is a sleeve 82 which carries a stud 84 to which is pivoted one end of a link 86, the other end of which is pivoted to the free end of a lever 88, fulcrumed on a shaft 90, which receives its motion from a cam lever 92 through a connecting rod 94. Cam lever 92 is pivoted on a shaft 96 and carries a cam roller 98 which engages with a track formed on the periphery of cam I00 mounted on main camshaft 64. A tension spring I02 is employed to maintain the contact of cam roller 98 with cam I00. Spring I02 is anchored on one end to a stud I04 on lever 88, while the other end (not shown) is suitably secured to one of the side frames of the machine (not shown) 5 After lifter table 44 is moved to its horizontal loaf delivery position, as shown in Figure 2, additional composite tear strip wrapper web material is drawn downwardly over the rear side of a partially wrapped loaf L on the lifter table by a lap roller I66. Lap roller I66 is supported in the ends of a pair of arms I08 attached to a shaft III) suitably supported in the side frames of the machine. Arms I08 are actuated by a connecting rod II2 pivotall connected to a lug II4 on the under side of one of the arms I68 and pivotally connected tothe free end of a cam lever II6 fulcrumed on the shaft 58. Cam lever H6 carries a cam roller II8 which engages with a track formed on the periphery of a cam I20 mounted on the main cam shaft 64.

The tear tab wrapper forming mechanism includes a web cutting device C and a tear strip cutting device M (Figures 1, 2 and 4).

The tear strip cutting device M (Figures 1, 2 and 4) consists of a narrow preferably serrated cutting blade I52, which is mounted on the extreme free end of an armature I54 projecting from a solenoid I56 secured to a plate I58. Plate I58 in turn is fastened to the lower side of ledger plate I60. The latter is employed for the purpose of coacting with the web cutting blades I 26 and I28 during the wrapper web cutting operation, and secured to the lower side of a pair of lugs I62 projecting from the under side of lifter table 44. The tear strip cutter I52 is actuated during a momentary energization of solenoid I56 which causes the armature I54 and cutter I52 to move forward and cut the tear strip web S and also slit or cut a limited portion of the wrapper web W adjacent tear strip web W. To assure a rapid cutting action and return of cutter I52, the free end of the armature is provided with a cross bar I64 to the ends of which a pair of tension springs I66 is fastened. Tension springs I65 also are anchored to a pair of studs I68 held by and projecting from the solenoid supporting plate I58.

Figure 2 illustrates a suitable operating mechanism and circuit for actuating solenoid I56. Power is supplied through lines I10 and I12 to a micro switch I14 mounted on bracket I16 adjustably secured to a cross member I18 held by one of the side frames of the machine. Switch I14 is actuated by means of an adjustable stud I mounted on an arm I82 pivoted on a stud I84 secured to bracket I16. To facilitate setting or adjusting of stud I80, the latter is provided with a knurled head I86 and a lock nut I88. The free end of arm I82 is provided with a suitable cam-shaped tail I90 to facilitate momentary engagement of pusher arm guide rollers I92 as they pass over tail I90 and cause a momentary depression of arm I82 which, through stud I 38, eifects a temporary closing of micro switch I14 and thus a temporary energization of solenoid I56.

Each roller I92 is pivoted to a stud I 94 held by a guide arm I96 mounted on a shaft I98 held by suitably spaced lugs I99 on a pair of spaced conveyor chains 200 constantly driven in synchronism with cam shaft 64 from the main drive of the machine (not shown). To each shaft I92 is mounted a 1133l1='0f well known pusher arms 2B2 -.-.emp1oyed forgthe purpose of pushing ithe partly wrapped loaf 01f the lifter :table 154 :and .onto a delivery runway :204 as well :asthrough .a series of end fold plates (not shown) and sealing ideivices v(not shown) to :complete the wrapping .of the ends of the package or loaf. Arm .iI.-.9B sand .xroller I592 .are employed for the purpose of .keepingithe :pusher arms 202 invertical position :during :package conveying, which is achieved iby :roller I92 :contacting :a track12ll6 and a tension :SpringJZIIB v(FigureZ) :surroundingshaft 1 98, zan- ..:chored to .one of the lugs 139 and :acting against 10118 of the pusher armsz202, to maintain .the contact of roller A92 with track 206 which is suitably mounted .on brackets "(not shown) attached to the side frames .of the machine. Pusher .a-rms 2.02 on conveyor chain B, are of (conventional :.construction and may be similar :to .those shown Iii-l1 .iRsindell v itatent 1,590,208 .or Schmitt Patent Webcutting :device C consists of :a .pair of spaced arms :I'22 mounted on .a :horizontal .cross shaft L34 supported :in suitable hearings .in the .side frames of the machine. Shaft 1.34 is oscillated by means of a lever 1:36 secured thereto connected to one end of adjustable rod I558, the :other :end of which is attached to one arm .of hell crank lever M0. To the other arm of .bell crank lever I4!) .is :pivotally connected one end of adjustable .rod :IAZ having its other end .con- ;ne.cted to .the :free end of cam :lever I44. Cam lever .144 carries -.a cam follower 1:46 which engages a cam track I48 in cam 450 secured to --main cam shaft :64 of the machine. The upper free ends of arms I22 carry a transverse knife supporting bar 124 to "which is attached :a iknite designated generally I25, which makes ,:a transverse cutrcompletely separating a:tear:strip wrapper from the composite tear strip wrapper web :material W This .iknife preferably consists of :two elongated cutter blades I28, preierablyprovided with a plurality of serrated .cutting teeth, attached to .bar I24 in such .a manner that .the outer ends :of the :blades extend :forwardly of the inner ends and .in a :broad -V arrangement. If desired, cutter blades i2 8 may be of :such length that their inner ends are in close adjacency and form a continuous .-V-shaped :kniie. As

shown in Figures .4 and .5, .howevenin the "I25, .it is preferred :to space the inner ends and mount -.a relatively :short auxiliary center nutter ,blade I26 in the space between cutter-blades 11:28. For .bestresults, it has been found that ran {auxiliary cutter blade .[26 having :lar e spaced cutter teeth :is desirable. The spacing ofztheipointsiof the teeth ofthe auxiliarycutter blade A26 is such that in .efiect .they straddle and do not rent the tear strip material S when cutter blade #25 .is rcutting the web of wrapping material W :blade I26 .-cuts transversely the portion of the wrapper web .elosely adjacent the tear strip :ma- .terial S, the relatively fiat -:sides :of blade 126 not it) free the portion of the tea-rstrip adjacent the .cut wrapper :edge from the Wrapper"w.eb. shown in Fig. 8, it willbeinoted that the points of the serrated out edges of :a wrapper :all lie :in :a substantially straight line and :a tear tabilll zeatends freely beyond one edge. In the center portion or the upper surface of :auxiliarynutter blade -I 2 8, there is adj ustably mounteda slitting knife I30 having .two spaced "vertical projecting cutter ears I52 which form :longitudinal slits on opposite :sides .of :the tear ztab whenzthe 'wrapper -.web1is :cut transversely .rby :k-niie :IZE. Jillhe prrangement of-the cutter blades I28 and auxiliary cutter blade 126 is such that when knife :125 ls actuated to out :a wrapper itrom we'b W the cut progresses inwardly i rom the longitudinal edges .of the :web toward the center. This operation .and the fact thatan auxiliary-cutter blade 126 is provided to cut the center :of the main wrapper web and not the already cut tear st-rip, insures that only the wrapper web is out transversely itoform a cut tear strip wrapper web.

' While the construction :and operation aOf cutting blades I 2 8 and I'2 6, and lthe coaction of blade 1Z6 with'notch;2 I50 efiect thecuttingof'the wrapper webwithoutagain cutting that portion of the tear strip 'which forms the tear tab, it is desirable that the bond between the tear 'strip :web and zwrapper web be such that there will be .a separation of the'ztwo uwebs adjacent the tear strip web during :the operation of the wrapper knife 125.. We have found :that with .theiabove described mechanism, this is readily effected, .because at the time the-wrapper is out, the adhesive or solvent which is applied :to the-tear strip web 'material, has not flrmly :set pr reached its run strength and that the tear :strip :portion is :displaced from the web :as :the wrapper knife I25 makes its transverse cut. .Also, in the case of waxed paper or similar wrapper, theibond between the tear strip matena'l and coated wrapper .is

less than the strength of the-tear strip material, and there is a separation :between the two *webs during :the wrapper cutting operation which insures against cutting :the :tear strip material.

In .the operation :of the wrapping :machine, an article to be wrapped, .such .asiapaloafL, is pushed by the "pusher plate :M from inclined runway 42 ontothe lifter :table 44, the *motion being .derived from cam Hit in thezmannerzpreviously described. As loaf L is pushed .onto the lifter table 4.4, it

presses the depending free iendof composite tear strip wrapper web W against :back tension-plate 46., the latter being displaced rearwardly, .and top tension plate A8 wipes the wrapping material over the top of the loaf. lioazf :L :is :thus partially wrapped in the portion iof zweb 3W draped in .its path as mentioned heretofore-with the :tearsstrip Web being located on the inner face of the web W Cam 62 then actuates :cam :lever '56 .and through connecting rod 52., raises -thelifter table 44 to the level of delivery runway 204, .as shown in Figure :1. .At the :same time and by reason of the upward motion :of :said lifter table, the web is pulled over plate 3.8, rand lap :roller I06, through the action of cam I211 tupon cam lever II I 13 and .connecting'rod M2, previously described,

:moves downwardly, as -illustra-ted in Eigures .1 1 and .'2. The machine iszsotimed that .as :soonas (the lifter ttable A4, with the :partly wrapped loa'f, reaches its topmost position, a :pair of :pusher arms onconveyornhains Ztiilapproach :partially wrapped loafL .to :push :thesame from the lifter table 44 .onto the delivery runway 234.

However, :shortly before Dusherarms 202 engage .loaf L, guide roller 19.2, associated with these pusher arms202, engages tail :Illfl .of switch control arm M32, thereby .depressing :the same and actuating and closing micro switch I M which, as .described heretofore, causes :a momentary ren- .-.ergizati0n ofsolenoid I 56, which turn, causes .the armature I54 and tear stripcutting blade I52 to move momentarily forward :and 'cut tear 'strip .S :on ,the'wrapper 'web W, and also make a narrow transverse slit N :in itear :strip wrapper =web W -as:illustrated in Figure :8. 'This tearstrip cutting andwvrapper cutting occurshortly after lap roller I06 has passed the tear strip cutting blade I52, so that the portion of web W extending downwardly from a partially wrapped article (Figure 1) above the lap roller, is stationary and under tension, which aids the cutting and slitting action. Lap roller Hi6, of course, continues to move downwardly and thereby pulls additional lengths of the webs forming tear strip wrapper web W from reels R and T and through the machine. In the meantime, pusher arms 222 have engaged partly wrapped loaf L on lifter table 44 and start to push it from table M onto and about delivery runway 204. During this forward movement of loaf L by the pusher arms, and depending on how much of an overlap is desired of the bottom seams of the package, the web cutting blades I26 and I22 on arms I22 swing forwardly and in coacting with the ledger plate or shear bar I60, the wrapper web W is out, as shown in dotted position in Figure 2, but, due to the arrangements of said cutting blades I22, I25, and the notch 2I0 (Figure 4) at the tear strip zone of the shear bar I66, as described above, the previously cut tear strip portion which forms the wrapper tear tab, is not out ofi and extends freely beyond the end of the wrapper a distance equal substantially to the longitudinal spacing between knife I25 and cutter I52. As noted above, auxiliary knife blade I28, contacting the tab zone of the web, is provided with teeth of a much wider pitch than those of blades I28 to avoid cutting of the tear tab at this point. The wide pitch points of the teeth of auxiliary knife blade I26 straddle tear tab S as they pierce the wrapper during the operation of wrapper knife I25, and the relatively fiat side edges or" the pointed teeth of auxiliary knife blade I26 push or break the tear tab 6 free of the wrapper web without cutting it. Slitting knife I30, mounted on blade i26, effects two narrow vertical slits D at the cutting edge of the wrapper (Figure 8) which are parallel with and on each side of the tear tab to facilitate the starting of the tearing of the wrapper when the tear tab is pulled.

After the web is cut and the loaf is completely pushed from the lifter table MI onto the delivery runway 204, the bottom seal of the package is completed and the tear tab E extends a desired length from the edge of the bottom seam F (Figure '7) with the tear strip web S being positioned between the periphery of the article and the wrapper (Figures 6 and 7).

Since bracket I16 is adjustably secured to cross member I'IS, the position of arm I22 can be adjusted to the left or right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. In this manner, the engagement of cam follower I92, associated with pushers 222, can be advanced or retarded and the length of tear tabs E can be made shorter or longer as desired.

A modified form of tear strip cutter actuating mechanism is illustrated in Figure 3. As shown in this figure, tear strip cutting knife I52 is see cured to the bottom portion of a horizontal guide bar 220 slidably supported in a suitable bracket 222 secured to the lower side of the shear bar It?! attached to lugs I62 mounted on lifter table 44. Bar 220 is provided with a stud 22 3 which projects through a slot 225 in bracket 222 and engages a slot 228 in an arm 23% pivoted to a stud 232 held by bracket 222. Arm 22-353, through link 2554, is connected to lever 23B mounted on a transversely extending shaft 233 supported by suitable bearings in bracket 222. At one end of shaft 238 is secured another arm 2 10, to the free end of which is pivoted a generally U-shaped trip nose 242 which extends from and partly encloses the free end of arm 2M1 into the path of lap roller I26. Trip nose 2&2 is provided with a tension spring 244 and arranged and pivoted in such a manner that when an end of lap roller I06 contacts the top edge of trip nose 242, the latter remains rigid with arm 2% while being pressed downwardly by the descending lap roller I66, thus causing arm 2M also to be moved downwardly until lap roller I08, as it continues to move downwardly, moves out of engagement with trip nose 222. When lap roller I06 again ascends to return to its uppermost position, it engages the bottom edge of trip nose 222 and moves it upwardly with no eifect on arm 240. Tension spring 242 causes the return of trip nose 242 to its normal position after the ascending lap roller I253 has passed.

In operation, the cutting of the tear strip S and piercing of the wrapper web W are efiected by the rather rapidly downward motion of the lap roller I06 and its quick depressing action upon nose 222 and arm 240 which, through shaft 238, lever 236, link 23 4 and arm 220, causes a quick momentary forward motion of bar 220 and knife I52. lhe latter cuts the tear strip in the same manner as if mounted on the armature of solenoid I56, described heretofore. Upon the return of the lap roller I06 to its upward position, the latter swings trip nose 242 upwardly against the pull of spring 244.

While Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the tear strip cutting device lVI located closely adjacent web cutting device C, the former may be located elsewhere in the web path of the machine as long as the location corresponds with the proper relative distance to a line where the web is out later on by the web cutting mechanism C. This modification of our invention is shown in Figure 5 in which tear strip cutting device M is shown located above web guide plate 38. In this form of the invention, guide plate 38 is provided with a suitable slot 250. Knife I52 cuts the tear strip of composite tear strip wrapper web W while web W extending along plate 38, is at rest. At this moment, lap roller I06 dwells temporarily and the web cutting also takes place at this time. The tear strip cutter I52 in Figure 5 is connected to the projecting end of an armature 252 of a sole- 25d adjustably secured to a supporting plate 256, which in turn is also adjustably mounted on a suitable bracket 258 attached to the bottom of the delivery runway 224. The solenoid is momentarily energized through the same type of microswitch as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and is actuated by the pusher guide arm I96 and roller 22 as the result of the depression of tail I92 of switch lever I82 by roller I92.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular embodiments selected to illustrate the invention are but a few of the possible concrete forms which our invention may assume. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structures shown and described.

What we claim is:

1. In a wrapping machine for applying a wrapper and a tear strip about an article to be wrapped, means for draping the leading end of a composite wrapper web including a continuous wrapper web having a continuous web of tear strip material attached thereto in the path of movement of said article, an article lifter table,

aearesa means for'moving, saidarticleagainstsaid draped leading endv of said composite wrapper web.- and partially enwrapping said. article therein as it.

means for moving said partially wrapped article off said lifter table, afirst cutter for substantially simultaneously cutting said tear strip and a lim'.-- ited. portion of said wrapper of said composite web. adjacent said. tear strip, a second cutter for cutting only said wrapper web of said composite web transversely at a position spaced longitudinally from and discontiguous with said out made by said first cutter ahead of said out insaid wrapper web after said partially wrapped article has been moved off said lifter table, and means for actuating said first cutter in advance of the actuation of said second cutter to forma teartab wrapper having a tear tab adapted to extend beyond' and entirely free of the cut end of said wrapper.

2 In a wrapping machine; having mechanism forparti'allyenwrapping anarticle in the leading end of'a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web; said wrapper web comprising a continuous wrapper web and a continuous tear strip webatfixed thereto, means for locating said partially wrapped article at a wrapper cutting station, a web cutter located at said station, a tear strip cutter, and mechanism for operating said cutters to out said web and tear strip material, and said wrapper web only, respectively, at longitudinally and di'sconti'guously" spaced points along said compositeweb, thereby forming a wrapper having a projecting tear tab disassociate'd' from and extending freely beyond the cut end of" said wrapper.

3'. In a wrapping machine; asource of supply of continuous wrapping material, a source-of'supply'of continuous-relatively narrow tear strip material, means for adhering said tear strip material to said wrapping material to form a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web, mechanism for partially enwrapping' an article in said continuous composite tear strip wrapper web, a tear strip cutter, a transverse wrapping material cutter spaced from said tear strip material cutter, and means operative after said article has been partially enwrapped in said wrapper web for operating said cutters to out said tear strip web and said wrapper of said composite web, and said wrapping" material only, respectively, at longitudinally discontiguously spaced pointsalong said wrapper web.

4. The method of forming tear tabs on the wrappers of wrapped articles, such as Wrapped loaves of bread, comprising feeding a composite wrapper web consisting of juxtaposed, continuous webs of wrapping material and rela-tively'narrow tear strip material to a wrapper applying station, partially wrapping said composite wrapper web about an article to be wrapped with said tear strip material positionedbetween said article and wrapping material, substantially simultaneously cutting said" tear strip material and a limited.portion of said wrapping material of said composite web adjacent said tear strip material, and subse quently transversely cutting the entire width of said wrapping material web' only of said composite web' transversely with a substantially unbroken. cut.ata point spaced longitudinally from and discontiguous with the cut endof said tear strip material to form a tear tab. wrapper.

5; The method of. forming tear tab. wrappersfor use in wrapping articles, such as loaves of bread, comprising securing a continuous web of tear strip material to a continuous web-of. wrap, ping. material to forma composite continuous tear stripwrapper web, substantially simultaneously cutting a limited portion of said web adjacent said tear. strip material and said tear strip, and then transversely cutting the entire width of said wrapping material web at a point spaced longitudinally from and discontiguous with said firstnamed. cut inwardly from its opposite longitudinal edges to cut said wrapping material web only and form a tear tab wrapper, whereby the cut endof said tear strip material web is disassociatedfrom said wrapper and formsa tear tab extend-- ingfreely beyond the' end of said wrapper.

6. The method of forming tear tab wrappers for use in wrapping articles, such as loaves of bread, comprising securing a continuous web of tear strip. material to one face of a continuous web.- of wrapping material to form a composite continuous tear strip wrapper web, substantially simultaneously severing said tear strip material and cutting a limited portion of' said wrapping material ofsaid composite web adjacent said tear stripmaterial, and then cutting said composite tear strip wrapper web transversely at a position spaced longitudinally from said cut portion of said tear strip material web and substantially simultaneously rupturing the bond between said tear strip. material and wrapping material websloaves of bread, mechanism for applying the free end portion of a-composite wrapper web comprising a wrapper web and tear strip web affixed thereto and extending longitudinally therealong between the'sides of said: wrapper web about an article: to: be. wrapped, means for cutting said tear strip web and a portion only of said wrapper ad-' jacent saidtear strip, and: means for cutting said wrapper web only transversely'to form a substantiallyunbroken cut across. the entire widthof said wrapper. at a point longitudinally spaced from:

and: discontiguous with said out tear strip portion.

8. In a wrapping machine for wrapping articles, such as loaves. of bread, a supply of wrapping material, a supply of tear strip mate rial, guides for feeding said wrapping material anditear stripmaterial into juxtaposition, asealing unit including means forcausing saidv tear strip material to adhere to. said web material, means for moving an article to be wrapped to a wrapping station, means for applying the leading end of said wrapping material with said tear strip material adhering thereto and-in un'cut'condition about. said' article to be wrapped, cutting for cutting said tear strip material, a cuttor for subsequently cutting said wrapper material only at a point spaced longitudinally from said out tear strip material to' form a tear tab wrapper partially enveloping said article, and means for moving said partially wrapped article from said station.

9. In a machine for wrapping articles, such as loaves of bread, a source of supply of continuous wrapping material, a source-of supply of continuous. tear strip material, mechanism for: simultaneously feeding said wrapping material andv said tear strip material from said sources of supply, mechanism for joining said wrapping mate'- rial and said tear strip material together, means for guiding the leading end portion of said joined wrapping material and tear strip material to a wrapper applying station, means operative at said station for applying said leading end portion of said continuous wrapping and tear strip material about an article to be wrapped, means for holding said tear strip bearing wrapper taut, longitudinally spaced cutters, and means for operating said cutters for cutting said taut tear strip ma terial and a limited portion only of wrapping material adjacent said tear strip material substantially simultaneously, and for cutting said wrapper completely across at a point spaced longitudinally from and discontiguous with said out tear strip material to form a wrapper partially enwrapping said article provided with a tear tab extending freely outwardly from the cut edge of said wrapper.

10. In a wrapping machine, a source of supply of continuous wrapping material, a source of supply of continuous relatively narrow tear strip material, means for adhering said tear strip material to said wrapping material to form a continuous tear strip wrapper web, a tear strip cutter, a transverse wrapping material cutter spaced from said tear strip cutter, means for operating strip cutter to substantially simultaneously out said tear strip material and a limited portion only of said wrapping material adjacent said tear strip material, and means for operating said wrapping material cutter to out said wrapping material only with substantially a straight uninterrupted line across the entire width of said wrapper web at a position spaced longitudinally along said wrapper web and thereby separate from said continuous tear strip wrapper'web a tear tab wrapper having a tear tab extending freely beyond said out edge of said wrapper.

11. A wrapping machine for wrapping articles such as loaves of bread, comprising a lifter table, a source of supply of continuous wrapping mate" rial web, a source of supply of continuous tear strip material web, means for joining said tear strip material web to said wrapping material web and thereby forming a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web, feeding means for drawing off wrapping material web and tear strip material web from said sources of supply and positioning the leading end of said composite tear strip wrapper web in the path of movement of an article onto said lifter table, means for moving an article against said leading end of said composite tear strip wrapper Web onto said lifter table and partially wrapping said article, a delivery station, means for moving said lifter table to said delivery station, means for pulling slack in said continuous composite tear strip wrapper web extending from said partially wrapped article, a tear strip ma e" rial cutter. wrapper cutter, a conveyor for mov ing said artially wrapped article from said lifter table, means actuated by said conveyor for operating said tear strip cutter to out said tear strip, and for actuating said wrap er cutter to out said wrapping material only of said composite tear strip wrapper web at a point longitudinally spaced from said tear strip.

12. In a machine for wrapping articles, such as loaves of bread, mechanism for applying a wrapper and a tear strip about a loaf of bread to be wrapped, a tear strip cutter comprising a knife blade, a support for said blade, a device for movsaid tear ing said support to cause said blade to out said tear strip and a limited portion only of said wrapper adjacent said tear strip, a wrapper knife, means mounting said wrapper knife at a distance spaced longitudinally from said tear strip cutter, and means for actuating said wrapper knife to make a complete transverse cut cutting said wrapper only along a substantially straight line and at a point discontiguous with said first cut and thereby form a wrapper having a tear tab projecting from the cut end of said wrapper.

13. A tear tab wrapper forming device for a wrapping machine comprising a support, a tear tab cutter mounted on said support, said cutter including a solenoid, a tear tab cutting blade attached to the armature of said solenoid, a wrapper cutting knife mounted at a distance spaced from said tear tab cutter, means for feeding a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web past said tear tab cutter and said wrapper cutting knife, means for operating said solenoid to cause said tear tab cutter blade to cut substantially simultaneously both said tear strip and a limited portion of said web of said composite web adjacent said tear strip, and means for subsequently actuating said wrapper cutting knife to out said web only with a substantially straight line out completely across the entire width thereof and separate from said composite tear strip wrapper web a wrapper having a tear tab extending beyond one cut end of said wrapper.

14. The mechanism defined in claim 12, wherein said wrapper knife includes a plurality of elon gated transversely positioned serrated cutting blades, located in substantially the same cutting means mounting said blades in substantially the form of a wide V with the outer ends of said blades extending forwardly of the inner ends thereof, whereby during the wrapper cutting operation said web is cut inwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof.

15. The mechanism defined in claim 12 wherein said wrapper knife includes two main elon gated serrated cutter blades having inner and outer ends, a movable support for said blades, means mounting said blades on said support with said inner ends in spaced relation, and an auxiliary wrapper cutter blade located in said space between the inner ends of said main blades.

16. The mechanism defined in claim 12 wherein said wrapper knife includes two transversely positioned main cutting blades having their outer ends mounted forwardly of their inner ends, and an auxiliary cutter blade positioned between the inner ends of said main cutting blades, said auxiliary knife being provided with wide pitch cutting teeth, whereby said wide pitch teeth enter and out said Web on opposite sides of said tear strip only and the relatively flat sides of said teeth free said uncut tear strip from engagement with said wrapper.

17. In a wrapping machine for applying a wrapper and a tear strip about an article to be wrapped, means for draping the leading end of a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web in the path of movement of an article to be wrapped, said composite web comprising a continuous web of wrapping material and a continuous web of tear strip material extending longitudinally therealong, an article lifter table, a conveyor for moving an article against said depending leading end of said composite web and partially enwrapping said article as it moves onto said lifter table with the tear strip material of said composite web between said article and wrapping ma- 1 5 ter-ial, .means for moving said lifiter'table-td locate said: partially wrapped articleat. a. delivery station with. said composite. web extending downwardly from. said partially wrapped article; alap: roller, a wrapper cutter, a tear stripcutter mounted below wrapper cuttenrn'eans for moving said lap roller against said wrapper extending from said-partially wrapped article to supply additionallcomposite web,. means for actuating said tear strip cutter after the operation of said lap roller to out said tear. strip material web and makea transverse cut in a limited portion only-of said-wrapping material webof said composite web adjacent said tear strip web, and means. for actuating said. wrapper cutter to'cut. said wrapping material: only along a. substantially straight uninterrupted line of cut at a point spaced longitudinally from: and discontiguous with said transverse cut! in said wrapper web and above said trans-versevcut to form. a wrapper having a wrapper tear tab extending freely beyond the cut end of said wrapper partially enwrapped about said article.

18. The mechanism: defined in claim 17 including a second conveyor havinga plurality of spaced article engaging pushers for moving partially wrapped articles ofi said lifter table, a solenoid operatively connected to saidtear stripcutter, a circuit including said solenoid, a switch in said circuit, av switch closing arm, and means on each of said pushers for moving said arm to close said switch and make said circuit to energize said solenoid and thereby actuate said tear strip cutter.

19. In a machine for wrapping articles, a source of supply of a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web, mechanism for partially wrapping the leading end of said web about an article with the trailing end of said web extending outwardly away from said partially wrapped article, means for positioning said partially wrapped article at a delivery station, a lap roller, means for moving said lap roller downwardly against said outwardly extending trailing end of said wrapper to pull additional wrapper web from said source of supply, a tear strip cutter, a movable support for saidcutter, an operating member for moving said support to advance said cutter to cut said tear strip and make a transverse slit in said wrapper web of said composite web, means mounting said operating member in the path of movement of said lap roller, means for moving said lap roller downwardly to'pull additional wrapper web from said source of supply and engage and depress said operating member to actuate said tear strip cutter, a wrapper cutter, means mounting said wrap= per cutter at an operating position located longitudinally between said delivery station and said tear stripcutter, and means for actuating said wrapper cutter to out said wrapper only trans versely between said partially wrapped article and the cut end of said tear strip.

20. In. a wrapping machine having a lifter table, an article receiving station and an article delivery station, a shear bar carried by said lifter table, a tear strip cutter mounted on said shear bar, a wrapper cutter adapted to coact with said shear bar, means for moving an article against the leading end of a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web onto said lifter table at said receiving station and partially wrapping said articlein said wrapper" web, and means for moving said lifter table and partially wrapped article to said delivery station, means for actuating said tear strip cutter to cutsaid tear strip and make'a transverse.- slit in a portion. of said wrapper web.

adjacentsaid: tearsstrip; andrmeans for moving said; wrapper: cutter into operative relation with said. shear: barto out said. wrapper web only, and thereby provide said. partially wrapped article with awrapper having a tear'tab. extending freely. beyond. the: cut end of: saidiwraepperz.

21. The-mechanism: defined'i'n claim 20 wherein said shear bar is. provided with a central. elongated. notch, and said: wrapper cutter; comprises elongated: serrated: cutting blades and an auxiliary: cutting blade having-wide pitclr cutting teeth mounted centrally cfysaid. elongated: serrated cut-- ting blades, said auxiliary cutting blade coacting with said notch in said shear 'b'ar to out said wrapper: only and maintain. saidr. tear strip material uncut.

22;: The-mechanism definedinclai'm; 2'1 including longitudinal slitter devices mounted. at the" ends of said auxiliary cutting blade, said slitters being constructed and: arranged to' form. longitudinal slits in: [7116. end. of. said; wrapper at the sides of said projecting tear tab.

28'.v In a. wrappingmachinea source of supply of continuouswrapping materialga sourceof supply of continuous"; relatively" narrow tea-r strip material, means for." adhering said; tear strip tosaid wrapping material to form a continuous com-- posite tearstrip wrapper web; a"; wrapper cutter for cutting a. substantially unbroken transverse cut' entirely'across said wrapping material, a tear strip cutterspacedrlongitudinally from said'wrappercutter, means mnuntingi said. tear strip cutter between said wrapper cutter and. said source of supply; means for" operating? said. tear: strip: cutter to substantially simultaneously out said tear stripmaterial of said tear: strip: wrapper web and f arm a' transverse slitinzazlimit'ed portion only of said wrapping. materialr of said composite tear strip :wrapperrweb; means for:a'ctuatingisaid wrapper cutter: to: cut said. wrapping material only of said tear strip" wrapper web at. a point? in advance of said slit in said wrapper discontiguous therewith to form a wrapper having a tear tab extendingfreely beyond the cut-end of said wrap.- per.

2 In; a wrapping machine: for wrapping articles, such as'l'oaves. of bread, a lifter table, an article" receiving station; an article delivery station, means for moving said 'lift'er table between said receiving station and said delivery station, a conveyor including a plurality of spaced pushers' adapted to mov past said delivery station and remove partially'wrapped articles from said lifter table, means'for pushing; an article againstthe draped leading end" portion of a continuous composite tear stripwrapper" web onto said lifter' table at said receiving station to partially wrap said article in said leading end portion of said composite tear strip wrapper web, a shear bar carried by said lifter table, a tear tab cutter carried by said lifter table beneath said shear bar, a wrapper cutter coacting with said shear bar,. an. electric. circuit, a solenoid. mounted on. said. lifter table connected. in said. circuit,. said. tear tab cutter including. a. blade attached to thearmature of said solenoid, a switch in said circuit, a switch. closing arm, an; actuating member'carried by each: of said-spaced pushers adapted to depress said arm. when said. lifter table is located at said: delivery stationrand: thereby close said switch and energize: said solenoid, whereby said tear stripcutter cuts said tear strip, and means: for actuating said; wrapper cutter to out said wrapper web only above said; tear strip cut- 17 ter to provide said partially wrapped article with a tear tab wrapper.

25. Tear tab wrapper forming mechanism for a wrapping machine comprising a movable article support, a shear bar mounted on said support, a wrapper cutter coacting with said shear bar, a tear tab cutter mounted on said movable support beneath said shear bar, means for locating a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web consisting of a continuous wrapping material web and a longitudinally extending relatively narrow tear strip material web adhered thereto between said wrapper cutter and shear bar, means for actuating said tear tab cutter to out said tear strip material of said tear strip wrapper web and form a transverse slit in a limited portion only of said wrapping material of said tear strip wrapper web adjacent said out tear strip, and means for operating said wrapper cutter for transversely cutting said wrapping material only of said tear strip wrapper web above said slit in said wrapping material to form a tear tab wrapper having a tear tab projecting freely beyond the cut end of said wrapper.

26. A wrapping machine for wrapping articles such as loaves of bread, comprising a lifter table, a source of supply of continuous wrapping material web, a source of supply of continuous tear strip material web, means for joining said tear strip material web to said wrapping material Web and thereby forming a continuous composite tear strip wrapper web, feeding means for drawing off wrapping material Web and tear strip material web from said sources of supply and positioning the leading end of said composite tear strip wrapper web in the path of movement of an article onto said lifter table, means for moving an article against said leading end of said composite tear strip wrapper web onto said lifter table and partially wrapping said article, a delivery station, means for moving said lifter table to said delivery station, means for pulling slack in said continuous composite tear strip wrapper web extending from said partially wrapped article, a shear bar mounted on the underside of said lifter table, a wrapper cutter coacting with said shear bar, a support mounted on said shear bar, a movable slide carried by said support, a lever connected to said slide, a tear strip cutter attached to said slide, a shaft mounted in said support, a bellcrans; lever mounted on said shaft, a link connected to said lever and one arm of said bellcrank lever, a pivoted nose mounted on the other arm of said bell-crank lever, resilient means normally holding said nose against said arm of said bell-cranl lever, said nose projecting outwardly into the path of movement of said slack pulling means, mechanism for moving said slack pulling means downwardly into engagement with said nose to effect the movement of said cutter blade to out said tear strip material web and a portion of said wrapping material web, and means for moving said wrapper cutter to out said wrapping material web only above said out tear strip and form a tear tab wrapper for said partially wrapped article.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 442,823 Palm Dec. 16, 1890 699,611 Benner May 6, 1902 1,203,592 De Escobales Nov. 7, 1916 1,965,524 Melhorn July 3, 1934 2,001,934 Munson May 21, 1935 2,008,361 Lindsey July 16, 1935 2,225,288 Woehlert Dec. 17, 1940 2,272,407 Heckman Feb. 10, 1942 2,334,381 Bronander Nov. 16, 1943 2,356,644 Arelt Aug. 22, 1944 2,538,564 Jensen Jan. 16, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 459,129 Great Britain of 1937 

